On Thursday 21 August the 2 Lancasters, KC-A 9(Thumper) and VR-A (Vera) were displayed at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire in the UK with the Avro Vulcan. The Vulcan is the last airworthy model of its type and will cease flying at the end of this year. It had been expected that the event would be well attended, but the numbers who turned up surpassed expectations by many times. So much so that the gates were closed to cars very early on.

The Vulcan had arrived on the previous afternoon and the 2 Lancasters flew in that morning. In truth the static display could have been better organised, as, initially, the Lancasters were placed facing the throng of admirers with the Vulcan at 900 to them. It was virtually impossible to get a picture of all three together, due to the massive crowds, and also as a result of the way in which the planes were placed. Additionally they were very close to the admiring throng, so it was even very difficult to get a decent close up shot. The weather was overcast, so not conducive to good images.

It was, though, a great occasion, the highlight being when they departed one by one to the waves of the crowd. We had been told that they would fly away from the base with no opportunities to take any images of them in the air. In the event it is believed they flew over the hill where the new Bomber Command Memorial will be built in Lincoln, above South Park and in line with the Cathedral. They then returned to fly south, passing a couple of kilometres away from the base. It gave a limited opportunity to get a last sight of these phenomenal aircraft flying together for virtually the last time. The shots are not necessarily brilliant, but the occasion is worth sharing with others.

Lancaster VR-A (Vera) coming in to land at RAF Waddington

The 2 Lancasters taxiing into position for the display

The Vulcan in display position

The Vulcan taking off south away from the crowds

A final farewell as they fly off to their next destination

-- hide signature --

"The only thing certain about life is uncertainty." (Rabbi Berel Wein)"We must learn to love the man who differs from us in opinion." (Swami Vivekananda)